August 25, 2010

CMS Decision Memo for Counseling to Prevent Tobacco Use

On August 25, 2010, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Medicare had expanded coverage for tobacco cessation to all beneficiaries who use tobacco. The expanded coverage went into effect immediately. This Decision Memo explained that the expansion was included as a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The change affected Medicare Parts A and B, but not Part D, which already covered smoking cessation medications. CMS will cover tobacco cessation counseling provided on an outpatient basis and for beneficiaries who are hospitalized.